"I like the way our team has played defense," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. "When it has been difficult, there have been breakdowns or chances, (Fleury) has been up to the task and has been really solid."

Fleury has sparkled through two games, turning aside 47 of 48 shots. He earned his 250th career victory and 24th shutout in a 3-0 win Thursday against New Jersey, and nearly wound up with consecutive shutouts.

Fleury went 1:15:06 without allowing a goal — the longest shutout streak to begin a season in franchise history — until Thomas Vanek scored at 15:06 of the third period Saturday. It was the seventh straight time Vanek scored against the Penguins.

"As a goalie, it's always something you like to do," Fleury said of getting a shutout. "I don't want to be selfish about it. We got a win and that's all that matters."

Craig Adams also scored his second goal, a late empty-netter, and Chris Kunitz converted a penalty shot to help the Penguins open 2-0 for the third straight season. Pittsburgh defenseman Matt Niskanen added two assists and forward Pascal Dupuis, playing in his 800th game, also had an assist.

"I think we're pretty good as far as our structure defensively," Crosby said. "That's usually something that takes a little more time, but I think we've looked pretty comfortable with the way we need to play defensively."

Fleury has been the catalyst.

He has displayed the confidence and poise unseen last spring when he lost the starting job to Tomas Vokoun after compiling a 3.40 goals-against average during an ugly first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders.

Fleury should receive ample opportunity to build his confidence with Vokoun out three to six months due to blood clots in his hips. The defense will be there to help, too.

April 11, first star: Dallas Stars defenseman Trevor Daley tallied a goal and an assist in the Stars' 3-0 rout of the St. Louis Blues, sending the Stars to their first playoffs since 2008.
Brandon Wade, AP

April 8, second star: Minnesota Wild right Wing Jason Pominville netted two goals in the 4-3 shootout victory over the Boston Bruins. The Wild clinched the playoffs with the win.
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April 5, second star: Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic scored two goals and had an assist in the Bruins 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston clinched the East with the victory.
Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports

April 5, third star: Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov shut out one of the best offenses in hockey, stopping all 20 shots he faced. The Wild beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0.
Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports

March 29, first star: Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov had 47 saves in the Avalanche's 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Colorado clinched a spot in the postseason with the win.
David Zalubowski, AP

March 25 second star: Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo made the game winning save against Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek during a shootout. Luongo had 37 saves in Florida's 3-2 win over the Senators.
Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports

March 23 third star: Vancouver Canucks forward Zack Kassian had four assists in a 4-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres. He needed 15 games to get his previous four points.
Anne-Marie Sorvin, USA TODAY Sports

March 22, second star: New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 21 saves in the Rangers 2-0 shut out of the New Jersey Devils. The win marked Lundqvist's record 50th shutout, a franchise record.
Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports

March 22, third star: Detroit Red Wings forward Brendan Smith tallied one goal and one assist in the Red Wings 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, which put the team back in the playoff picture.
Hannah Foslien, Getty Images

March 20, first star: Detroit Red Wings right wing Daniel Alfredsson lead the Red Wings to an eventual 5-4 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, collecting two goals and one assist, including the game winner in OT.
Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports

March 15, first star: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender made 23 saves in the Lightning's 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils. It was Bishop's 31st win of the season, a single-season record for the team.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

March 14, first star: New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin stole the spotlight from Henrik Lundqvist on the night the netminder tied the Rangers' win mark (301), scoring three goals to lift New York past the Winnipeg Jets 4-2.
Bruce Fedyck, USA TODAY Sports

March 14, second star: San Jose Sharks right wing Martin Havlat tallied one goal and one assist to help the Sharks get their fifth straight winning, beating the New York Islanders 4-3.
Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports

March 11, first star: Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn scored a game-winner in OT against the NHL-best St. Louis Blues, one night after teammate Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench.
Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports

March 8, first star: New Jersey Devils left wing Tuomo Ruutu had a goal and an assist and finished +2 with 5 shots on goal to help the Devils beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

March 6, first star: Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin notched his third hat trick of the season when the Stars topped the Vancouver Canucks 6-1. Seguin has now tied the Stars record for more hat tricks in a season.
Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports

March 6, second star: Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth continued to impress following Ryan Miller being traded, stopping 43 shots to back stop the Sabres to a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Mike Carlson, Getty Images

March 2, first star: Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins. Rask made 39 saves in a 6-3 win over the Rangers. The Bruins swept the season-series with the Rangers for the first time in 31 years.
Adam Hunger, USA TODAY Sports

Feb. 28, third star: Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth was thrust into the spotlight Friday after starter Ryan Miller was traded, but Enroth proved he could handle the pressure, making 36 saves en route to a 4-2 Sabres victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Feb. 25, first star: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff notched two scores, including the game-winner with .44 seconds left in regulation, to power the Sabres over the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2.
Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

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The Penguins were disciplined in front of Fleury, blocking pucks and limiting Buffalo to 14 shots through two periods — including five in the second. Fleury did his part during a late second-period power play, denying Tyler Ennis and Vanek's rebound in the slot, keeping the Penguins ahead by a pair after two periods.

"A lot of the shots he was solid, square, and directed the rebound in the right way," Bylsma said. "I felt he was really in control of the net tonight even though it was 21 shots."

The Sabres (0-3) are approaching their worst start since opening 0-5 with two ties during the 1999-2000 season.

Ryan Miller was brilliant Friday, stopping 45 shots during a 1-0 home loss to Ottawa, but he missed Saturday's game with a lower body injury. He is expected to return for the Sabres' home game Tuesday against Tampa Bay.

Backup goalie Jhonas Enroth got the call Saturday, making 31 saves. He didn't get much help from the offensively challenged Sabres, who have two goals in their first three games. Buffalo, also 0 for 13 on the power play, is experiencing growing pains, starting three teenagers and five rookies.

"We didn't generate a lot," coach Ron Rolston said. "We just have to be a lot simpler than we are right now. We pass up opportunities when we do get them."

For the second straight game, Crosby and Kobasew staked the Penguins to a two-goal lead in the first period.

Dupuis sent a spinning backhand pass from the slot to Crosby, who smacked his own rebound past Enroth, extending his point streak to 15 games against the Sabres.

Kunitz put it away midway through the third when he scored on a penalty shot, banking the puck off Enroth's body and into the net.

"I like how our team has played as a group, and we can certainly credit Marc-Andre Fleury with some great saves and great performances," Bylsma said. "We haven't given up a lot and that's been excellent to see out of our team."

NOTES:

Penguins All-Star forward James Neal is week-to-week with an upper body injury. ... Sabres D Henrik Tallinder, who sustained an upper body injury Friday against Ottawa, will miss about a week. ... D Alexander Sulzer, recalled Saturday, was scratched for the Sabres along with John Scott. D Deryk Engelland sat out for the Penguins. ... The Penguins conclude a three-game homestand Tuesday against Carolina.